Ministry Overview

Purpose of Ministry

In 2005, the Minister of Forests and Range was made responsible for Housing. The two components remain structurally independent, but both report to the Deputy Minister and Minister.

Forests and Range

Since its establishment in 1912 as the Forests Branch, the Ministry of Forests and Range (also known as the Forest Service or MoFR) has continued to protect the public’s interest and provide leadership in the protection, management and use of the province’s forest and rangelands. The Forest Service is the main agency responsible for the stewardship of 47 million hectares of provincial forest land and fire protection services for 84 million hectares. The ministry’s role also includes maintaining a policy and regulatory framework that creates a competitive forest industry. Managing provincial forests and range resources presents a unique and complex set of challenges. More than 90 per cent of British Columbia’s forestlands are publicly owned, which means that the provincial government, on behalf of the public, plays a much more prominent role in the forest sector than its counterparts in other forestry jurisdictions.

The ministry pursues its goals for sustainable forest and range resources and benefits in a consultative manner with the public, industry, and other Crown agencies, while recognizing the unique interests of aboriginal people. In this way, the ministry works to earn the public’s trust as our staff make the day-to-day decisions which ensure that all British Columbians can look forward to sustainable forests and range and a strong forest economy now and in the future.

Office of Housing and Construction Standards

The Office of Housing and Construction Standards brings together key areas of government devoted to addressing the broad housing needs of British Columbians. The Office is responsible for provincial housing policy, building policy, safety policy, and the Residential Tenancy Office. In addition, the Office has responsibility for several Crown agencies, boards and commissions including BC Housing, the Homeowner Protection Office (HPO), the Building Code Appeal Board and the Safety Standards Appeal Board. The Office is divided into three core business areas: Housing, Building and Safety Policy, and the Residential Tenancy Office. The Office has 103 full-time equivalents and a 2006/07 budget of $209.70 million. Ninety two per cent of the budget is transferred to BC Housing for housing assistance programs. With this structure, government’s efforts to improve access to safe and stable housing for all British Columbians are integrated and aligned.

In the coming year, the Office will introduce three major initiatives:

  • The Provincial Housing Strategy;
  • Modernization of systems to achieve safety in the design, construction and occupancy of buildings; and
  • Additional consumer protection to those living in supportive housing and assisted living arrangements.
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